Airbnb Market Data

6 min read

8 Best Short Term Rental Markets In West Virginia For 2025

We’ve identified the top 8 cities in West Virginia that offer promising opportunities to investors looking for high-yield STR markets.

Written By

Emir Dukic

Feb 04, 2025

West Virginia is home to many thriving short-term rental markets, but identifying the top-performing cities can be overwhelming, especially when combing through data from countless locations across the state.

To simplify this process, we analyzed data from markets statewide and compiled a list of the top 8 cities for investors and landlords seeking potentially high-return rental properties in the coming year.

As always, we recommend thorough underwriting and analysis of any prospective property and a review of local short-term rental regulations before making any investment decisions.

How We Created This List

First, we looked at all Airbnb listings in West Virginia that met the following criteria as of January 2025:

  • Average Rating: 4.8 stars and above
  • Guest Review Count: Minimum of 10
  • Average Daily Rate: $1 (minimum) to $2,000 (maximum)
  • Occupancy Rate: 1% (minimum) to 99% (maximum)
  • Property Size: 1 to 10 bedrooms
  • Property Type: Entire homes

We did this to eliminate Airbnb listings from our analysis that fall outside of what we consider "realistic" situations. This left us with a total of 1,016 Airbnb listings across the state of West Virginia to work with.

Next, we grouped these listings by city and eliminated markets that didn't have at least 75 Airbnb listings meeting the above criteria. We took this step to avoid outlier cities we felt didn't have enough data to be considered at this current time. This left us with 8 cities in West Virginia to rank.

Then, we needed to arrive at a gross yield number for each of our remaining cities in order to create our rankings. We did this by taking the average annual Airbnb revenue for each city and combining it with the cities median property value (from Zillow as of December 2024) to calculate our gross yield for each city.

Finally, we ordered the cities by highest gross yield.

The Top 8 STR Markets in West Virginia

1. Dunmore, WV

Nestled in the heart of Pocahontas County, Dunmore, WV offers a thriving short-term rental market ideal for real estate investors seeking a good return. Known for its proximity to the stunning Allegheny Mountains, Dunmore is a hotspot for tourists and outdoor enthusiasts, drawn by attractions like the Green Bank Observatory and the Snowshoe Mountain Resort. With vibrant foliage in fall and pristine ski trails in winter, this area attracts guests year-round, making it one of the best places for vacation rentals, with Airbnb hosts enjoying strong cash flow from consistent rental income.

Key STR Metrics:

  • Average Gross Yield: 18.8%
  • Average Property Value: $276,140 (as of December 2024)
  • Average Annual Revenue: $51,921 (past 12 months)
  • Average Occupancy Rate: 28% (past 12 months)
  • Qualifying Airbnbs: 95 (as of January 2025)
  • Year-Over-Year Growth in Airbnbs: 262%

Find Airbnbs For Sale in Dunmore, WV →

2. Fayetteville, WV

Fayetteville, WV, renowned for its stunning outdoor attractions, is a prime location for short-term rental properties, drawing in adventure-seeking tourists. As home to the New River Gorge, it's a hotspot for hiking, rock climbing, and rafting enthusiasts, offering great potential for real estate investors looking to capitalize on the vacation rental market. With events like Bridge Day and vibrant local culture, it promises excellent rental income for Airbnb hosts, making it one of the best places for vacation homes in the region's growing real estate market.

Key STR Metrics:

  • Average Gross Yield: 12.4%
  • Average Property Value: $299,973 (as of December 2024)
  • Average Annual Revenue: $37,138 (past 12 months)
  • Average Occupancy Rate: 42% (past 12 months)
  • Qualifying Airbnbs: 148 (as of January 2025)
  • Year-Over-Year Growth in Airbnbs: 83%

Find Airbnbs For Sale in Fayetteville, WV →

3. Berkeley Springs, WV

Berkeley Springs, WV, a gem for real estate investors seeking rental income from the short-term rental market, offers a thriving scene for vacation homes. Known for its historic mineral springs spa, this quaint town attracts tourists with annual events like the Apple Butter Festival. Its charming downtown area, outdoor recreation, and proximity to lush state parks make it one of the best places for Airbnb hosts. Investors can expect good returns as tourism flourishes with growing visitor numbers, enhancing the local real estate market and cash flow opportunities.

Key STR Metrics:

  • Average Gross Yield: 9.9%
  • Average Property Value: $417,989 (as of December 2024)
  • Average Annual Revenue: $41,488 (past 12 months)
  • Average Occupancy Rate: 37% (past 12 months)
  • Qualifying Airbnbs: 137 (as of January 2025)
  • Year-Over-Year Growth in Airbnbs: 133%

Find Airbnbs For Sale in Berkeley Springs, WV →

4. Harpers Ferry, WV

Harpers Ferry, WV, a captivating gem for real estate investors targeting the short-term rental market, offers charming vacation homes surrounded by history and natural beauty. Known for its pivotal role in American history, the town attracts tourists with the Harpers Ferry National Historical Park and the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. Visitors enjoy hiking the Appalachian Trail and attending the annual Harpers Ferry Outdoor Festival. This vibrant tourism scene promises airbnb hosts a substantial rental income and good return.

Key STR Metrics:

  • Average Gross Yield: 9.9%
  • Average Property Value: $531,493 (as of December 2024)
  • Average Annual Revenue: $52,407 (past 12 months)
  • Average Occupancy Rate: 44% (past 12 months)
  • Qualifying Airbnbs: 152 (as of January 2025)
  • Year-Over-Year Growth in Airbnbs: 89%

Find Airbnbs For Sale in Harpers Ferry, WV →

5. Davis, WV

Nestled in the scenic Allegheny Mountains, Davis, WV is a hidden gem for real estate investors eyeing the short-term rental market. With its proximity to Canaan Valley Resort and Blackwater Falls State Park, it attracts tourists seeking outdoor adventures. Popular events like the Leaf Peeper's Festival enhance its appeal. The robust tourism scene ensures good rental income and cash flow for Airbnb hosts. Investing in vacation homes here offers not just a picturesque escape but a promising return in the growing housing market.

Key STR Metrics:

  • Average Gross Yield: 9.6%
  • Average Property Value: $547,233 (as of December 2024)
  • Average Annual Revenue: $52,590 (past 12 months)
  • Average Occupancy Rate: 35% (past 12 months)
  • Qualifying Airbnbs: 149 (as of January 2025)
  • Year-Over-Year Growth in Airbnbs: 108%

Find Airbnbs For Sale in Davis, WV →

6. Snowshoe, WV

Snowshoe, WV is a prime destination for real estate investors eyeing the short-term rental market. Known for its Snowshoe Mountain Resort, this area attracts visitors year-round with its skiing, mountain biking, and golfing. Special events like the Subaru Canoe Slalom draw tourists, offering Airbnb hosts a steady stream of guests. With its vibrant tourism scene and outdoor attractions, Snowshoe offers investors a good return on vacation homes, making it one of the best places for short-term rental properties with promising cash flow.

Key STR Metrics:

  • Average Gross Yield: 8.6%
  • Average Property Value: $488,620 (as of December 2024)
  • Average Annual Revenue: $41,944 (past 12 months)
  • Average Occupancy Rate: 27% (past 12 months)
  • Qualifying Airbnbs: 122 (as of January 2025)
  • Year-Over-Year Growth in Airbnbs: 120%

Find Airbnbs For Sale in Snowshoe, WV →

7. Charleston, WV

Charleston, WV offers a vibrant short-term rental market ideal for real estate investors seeking good returns. Surrounded by the beauty of the Appalachian Mountains, it attracts tourists with popular attractions like the State Capitol, Clay Center for the Arts, and Kanawha State Forest. As the home of the Charleston Dirty Birds baseball team, the city also hosts vibrant events like FestivALL, enticing visitors year-round. With its promising real estate market and steady tourism, Charleston stands out for vacation rentals and Airbnb hosts looking to optimize cash flow.

Key STR Metrics:

  • Average Gross Yield: 7.9%
  • Average Property Value: $277,303 (as of December 2024)
  • Average Annual Revenue: $21,900 (past 12 months)
  • Average Occupancy Rate: 37% (past 12 months)
  • Qualifying Airbnbs: 82 (as of January 2025)
  • Year-Over-Year Growth in Airbnbs: 77%

Find Airbnbs For Sale in Charleston, WV →

8. Morgantown, WV

Morgantown, WV, stands out for its vibrant appeal to tourists and short-term rental investors. As home to West Virginia University, it hosts exciting Mountaineers sports games that draw visitors year-round. The city's charm is further enhanced by attractions like the Monongahela River and Coopers Rock State Forest. Special events such as the annual MountainFest Motorcycle Rally offer additional tourism appeal. With a robust short-term rental market, Morgantown provides real estate investors excellent opportunities for rental income and good return through vacation rentals like Airbnb.

Key STR Metrics:

  • Average Gross Yield: 6.6%
  • Average Property Value: $428,240 (as of December 2024)
  • Average Annual Revenue: $28,105 (past 12 months)
  • Average Occupancy Rate: 33% (past 12 months)
  • Qualifying Airbnbs: 131 (as of January 2025)
  • Year-Over-Year Growth in Airbnbs: 76%

Find Airbnbs For Sale in Morgantown, WV →

Categories: Airbnb Market Data

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About the author

Emir Dukic

CEO @ Rabbu.com

With a passion for real estate innovation and technology, Emir has transformed Rabbu into a go-to marketplace for real estate investors seeking high-yield opportunities in the short-term rental market. Drawing on his background in entrepreneurship and operational strategy, Emir has been instrumental in simplifying the complexities of the short-term rental industry, empowering investors to maximize their returns with data-driven insights and streamlined tools.

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